The Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) has launched the Yolo Center for Language and Literacy, in partnership with the Center for Public Service and Education (CPSE) at UC Davis and the California Reading and Literature Project (CRLP) at UC San Diego. The Yolo Center aims to enhance literacy and language development across Yolo County and the greater Sacramento region by improving classroom instruction and student learning.

In announcing the new center, County Superintendent Garth Lewis said, “Literacy lays the foundation for a successful life. When children and youth develop strong literacy skills, it has a direct impact on their success in school and beyond.”

According to the 2024 report from the California Department of Education, only 42% of third-grade students in Yolo County were reading at grade level or higher. The Yolo Center is focused on improving literacy outcomes, especially among multilingual learners.

The center will be led by Dr. Heather Schlaman, YCOE’s language and literacy coordinator. “Our goal is to bring the latest research and best practices to the professional development of TK-12 educators,” said Schlaman. “This is a unique opportunity to build a strong cohort of teacher leaders who are engaged with research, committed to delivering high-quality literacy instruction, and prepared to support their colleagues throughout the region.”

Shervaughnna Anderson-Byrd, executive director for the California Reading and Literature Project, said, “We are excited to have Dr. Heather Schlaman join us. Her expertise and passion will be a valuable asset as we continue working towards our mission.”

The Yolo Center’s initiatives include:

• Establishing a regional site for the California Reading and Literature Project (CRLP) to offer literacy-focused professional learning for TK-12 educators. The CRLP site will be hosted by the Center for Public Service in the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis, and funded through a grant from the statewide office of the CRLP at UC San Diego.
• Expanding the CRECEMOS: Growing Bilingual Teachers initiative to strengthen the bilingual teacher workforce, supported by the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Grant.
• Offering local professional development opportunities in the Sacramento region, focusing on effective instruction for multilingual learners.

The Yolo Center’s creation is made possible through an expanded partnership between the Yolo County Office of Education, the Center for Public Service and Education at UC Davis, and the California Reading and Literature Project, headquartered at UC San Diego. 

"What makes the Yolo Center unique is the collaboration between higher education and the K-12 community," adds Lewis. "I'm excited about the programming and professional development it will bring, which I believe will benefit our county, the Sacramento region, and potentially have a statewide impact."

“We envision the Yolo Center as a way to improve and expand our collective efforts to foster student literacy and language development,” CPSE Executive Director Nancy McTygue said. “By combining resources, personnel, and networks, we hope to develop a collaborative and sustainable partnership for the benefit of students in Yolo County, the Sacramento region, and across California.”

For more details on the Yolo Center’s programs and upcoming events, visit the YCOE website at ycoe.org/yolocenter.